Foundry accident raises questions about use of personal protective equipment

A recent catastrophic accident claimed the life of a worker at a ductile iron foundry. This terrible accident raises questions in my mind about compliance with OSHA’s personal protective equipment (PPE) regulations.

Three employees were injured and sent to the hospital, two of them with burns. One employee (the deceased) sustained burns over 75 percent of her body when molten metal erupted from a vessel at the foundry.

29CFR 1910.132 requires employers to assess their workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment.

Employers are required to:

1) Assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of PPE.

2) If hazards are present or likely to be present, select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect from the identified hazards (eg. hardhats, safety glasses, aluminized clothing.)

3) Communicate selection decisions to each affected employee.

4) Select PPE that properly fits each affected employee.

In addition, the employer must verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated, the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed and the dates of the assessment.

Have a specific question about how this OSHA regulation applies to you? Email me at jstanley@fdrsafety.com.